Six by Nico Edinburgh: Menu Prices, Dress Code & Controversy Explained

There’s something intriguing about a restaurant that promises a Michelin-style experience for under £50. Six by Nico Edinburgh has drawn locals and tourists alike with its rotating six-course tasting menus, but controversy has also put it in the spotlight — here’s what you need to know before you book, from the real cost to the dress code and the background of the 2024 Glasgow incident.

Six by Nico locations in Edinburgh: 2 (Hanover Street and Queensferry Street) · Price per six-course tasting menu: £49 per person (as of 2025) · Menu change frequency: Every 6 weeks · Opening year in Edinburgh: 2019 (Hanover Street) · Average TripAdvisor rating (Hanover Street): 4.5 / 5

Seven key facts, one pattern: Six by Nico positions itself as affordable tasting-menu dining, but the experience varies by location, theme, and booking method.

What is the Six by Nico controversy?

Details of the Glasgow staff sacking incident

In 2024, Six by Nico faced public backlash after The Herald (Scottish newspaper) reported that staff at its Glasgow location were abruptly dismissed, calling it a “disgraceful” sacking. The report triggered widespread criticism on social media, with many questioning the restaurant group’s employment practices. According to the reporting, the dismissals were handled without notice or proper process, though the company later issued an apology.

Six by Nico’s response and public reaction

Founder Nico Simeone acknowledged the incident and said the company would review its procedures. The apology, circulated via internal channels and reported by The Herald, aimed to address the anger. However, the long-term effect on customer trust remains unclear. One TripAdvisor reviewer noted that the controversy “hasn’t stopped the queues” at the Edinburgh locations.

The catch: while the Glasgow incident damaged the brand’s reputation, Edinburgh bookings appear resilient, suggesting that location-specific loyalty buffers the group from city-level fallout.

How much is the Six by Nico Edinburgh menu?

Current tasting menu price (£49 per person)

The standard six-course tasting menu at Six by Nico Edinburgh is priced at £49 per person, as listed on the Six By Nico Edinburgh (official website). This core price has held steady since at least 2023, though earlier promotional menus were lower. When the Edinburgh location first opened in 2019, the debut “The Chippie” concept was priced at £28 per person (Venue Report (hospitality industry publication)). The official site now shows pricing as city-dependent at booking for some experiences (Six By Nico (Chippie page)).

Optional drink pairings and supplement costs

Wine pairings add approximately £35 per person, bringing the total to around £84. For those seeking a premium experience, the Edinburgh West location offers a VIP-only 10-course menu for £40 through SevenRooms (restaurant booking platform) — a cheaper per-course option than the standard menu.

How prices compare to other Edinburgh tasting menus

At £49, Six by Nico undercuts most Michelin-starred venues in the city. TripAdvisor (user review platform) listings show that the average tasting menu at starred restaurants like The Kitchin starts above £90. Six by Nico fills a niche: affordable rotating themes without the star pricing.

The trade-off: you pay less, but you get a theme that may not fully deliver on complexity compared to Michelin-level kitchens.

Can I wear jeans to Six by Nico?

Dress code policy at Six by Nico Edinburgh

Six by Nico does not enforce a strict dress code. According to TripAdvisor (user review platform), the restaurant is described as “smart casual,” with many reviewers confirming they wore jeans without issue. No formal jacket is required, unlike some Michelin-starred venues that mandate jackets for men.

What to wear: smart casual guidelines

Smart casual means clean jeans, a collared shirt or blouse, and closed-toe shoes. The restaurant’s own website does not publish a dress code, but the consensus across reviews and the brand’s relaxed branding suggests that denim and trainers are perfectly acceptable. For special occasions, dressing up a notch is fine but not expected.

What this means: jeans are fine — no need to overthink it. The vibe is “nice enough for a date, casual enough for a weekday dinner.”

What is the best Michelin star restaurant in Edinburgh?

Top Michelin-starred restaurants in Edinburgh

Edinburgh boasts several Michelin-starred restaurants including The Kitchin (Tom Kitchin), Restaurant Martin Wishart, and Number One at The Balmoral. According to TripAdvisor (user review platform), these venues consistently score 4.5+ ratings and serve tasting menus that start at £90 per person — roughly double the price of Six by Nico.

How Six by Nico compares to Michelin-starred venues

Six by Nico is not Michelin-starred, but its format imitates the tasting-menu structure. Where a starred restaurant offers year-round consistency and technical precision, Six by Nico relies on novelty — a new theme every six weeks. The trade-off is lower price but potentially less refinement. What Katie Did Next (food blog) notes that the portions are generous and the atmosphere lively, but not hushed like a starred dining room.

Budget-friendly alternatives for fine dining in Edinburgh

For diners on a tighter budget, Six by Nico is the strongest competitor to the Michelin set. Other affordable options include The Gardener’s Cottage and L’Escargot Bleu, which offer set menus under £40. But none match the six-course format for under £50.

The pattern: Six by Nico occupies the “affordable tasting menu” slot — not a Michelin competitor, but a viable entry point for diners curious about the format.

What is a must eat in Edinburgh?

Signature dishes at Six by Nico Edinburgh

Each Six by Nico menu is theme-based. Past themes have included “The Chippie” (with dishes like Chips & Cheese and Macaroni Pie, per the Six By Nico (Chippie page)) and “Six Wonders of the World.” The current menu can be viewed on the official site, and dishes change entirely every six weeks (Six By Nico (official theme page)).

Traditional Scottish foods to try

Six by Nico often incorporates Scottish ingredients like Scotch beef and salmon into its themed menus. For classic Scottish fare, reviewers recommend trying haggis, neeps and tatties, Cullen skink, and sticky toffee pudding — available at numerous city-centre pubs and restaurants.

Top-rated restaurants for visitors

Beyond Six by Nico, TripAdvisor (user review platform) lists The Kitchin, Timberyard, and Aizle as top choices for fine dining. For a more casual experience, the city’s many gastropubs offer excellent local dishes at half the price.

The implication: If you want a multi-course tasting menu with local flavours at a reasonable price, Six by Nico is the best entry point, but don’t expect a deep dive into Scottish tradition — the themes are often international.

How much money do I need for a day in Edinburgh?

Daily budget for food, transport, and attractions

A day in Edinburgh costs between £60 and £150 per person excluding accommodation, according to cost-of-living data referenced by TripAdvisor (user review platform) and visitor guides. This includes three meals, local transport, and entry to one attraction (e.g., Edinburgh Castle).

Is Edinburgh expensive for backpackers?

Edinburgh is moderately expensive compared to other UK cities but cheaper than London. Budget backpackers can manage on £40–£50 per day by eating at street food markets and using buses.

Cost comparison: Six by Nico vs other dining options

Spending £49 on a tasting menu at Six by Nico represents a mid-range dining investment — similar to a two-course meal at a decent restaurant, but for six courses. For backpackers, it’s a splurge; for city-breakers, it’s a reasonable centrepiece of the evening.

Why this matters: For a visitor looking for a memorable meal without breaking the bank, Six by Nico fits the “mid-splurge” bracket — above pub grub, below Michelin pricing.

Timeline: Six by Nico Edinburgh’s journey

• 2019: Six by Nico Edinburgh opens on Hanover Street with “The Chippie” theme at £28 per person (Venue Report (hospitality industry publication))
• 2022: Second Edinburgh location opens on Queensferry Street (Six by Nico Edinburgh West) (TripAdvisor (user review platform))
• 2024: Controversy after Glasgow staff sacking; reported by The Herald (The Herald (Scottish newspaper))
• 2025: Menu price stabilises at £49; both Edinburgh locations continue operating (Six By Nico Edinburgh (official website))

What’s clear and what’s not

What others are saying

“Six by Nico Edinburgh is a great concept for the price — a fun, themed tasting menu that changes regularly. Just don’t expect Michelin-level finesse.”

— TripAdvisor reviewer (Hanover Street)

“The company’s handling of the Glasgow situation was deeply disappointing. We hope they learn from it and improve conditions.”

— The Herald editorial, as quoted in the 2024 report (The Herald (Scottish newspaper))

“I’ve been to three different theme menus at Six by Nico Edinburgh. The food is inventive, the service is friendly, and the value is unbeatable for a six-course meal.”

— What Katie Did Next (food blog)

Is Six by Nico Edinburgh worth your time and money?

Six by Nico Edinburgh delivers exactly what it promises: a rotating, affordable tasting menu that makes multi-course dining accessible to a wider audience. The Glasgow controversy casts a shadow over the group’s employment ethics, but for the diner focused on price and novelty, the Edinburgh locations remain a strong choice. The smart-casual setting and £49 price tag lower the barrier to entry for anyone curious about tasting menus but not ready to spend £100+ at a Michelin-starred restaurant. For the budget-conscious traveller or the local looking for a regular date-night treat, the choice is clear: book a table, skip the pricey wine pairing, and enjoy the theme. For those prioritising ethical hiring practices, the alternative is to wait and see if policy changes follow the 2024 backlash.

The Edinburgh restaurant’s pricing and cancellation policies have sparked debate similar to the similar controversy at the Manchester branch.

Frequently asked questions